Monthly Archives: August 2015

Many clients do not realize that personal injury claims against the government are handled differently than claims against private individuals or companies. There are different rules of procedure and different statutes of limitation that apply to governmental claims, as well as other legal challenges that must be met. If you are faced with a claim against a government entity, be sure to consult with a personal injury attorney with experience handling cases against the government. Types of claims against the government As we all go about our lives, we inevitably interact with our local, state or federal government in more ways than we realize. As a result, some accidents occur as a result of the negligence or failures of government employees. For instance, common claims against the government can result from poor maintenance or supervision in: Public streets Public sidewalks Public parks Public schools Public pools Public offices Public utilities Auto accident claims against thhttp://www.cottrelllawoffice.com/personal-injury-claims-against-the-government/

Motorcyclists are often exposed to dangers on the road that other motorists do not encounter. First, other motorists have more difficulty seeing motorcycles as quickly and clearly as other vehicles, which makes motorcyclists more likely to be struck. To make matters worse, motorcyclists do not have a significant protective barrier between them and the road, or another vehicle. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, even if you were wearing a helmet, you must be cautious of closed head injuries, which often go undetected. What is a “closed head” injury? Closed head injuries, also referred to as traumatic brain injuries, are different from open head injuries in that nothing actually penetrates the brain. Instead, a closed head injury is normally caused be a blow to the head. Because of the nature of this type of injury, it is not easily detected. Nevertheless, they are common and very dangerous if not diagnosed. A closed head injury can also result in a cohttp://www.cottrelllawoffice.com/beware-of-hidden-closed-head-injuries-following-a-motorcycle-accident/

Catastrophic injuries are a very unique type of injury. They are more serious and often result in permanent injuries or even disabilities. In addition to physical injuries, catastrophic injuries can be emotional and economic. They most often have a more significant impact on the victim and the victim’s family. Catastrophic injuries can be the result of trauma or a serious disease or illness. For instance, the body’s impact against a hard surface or exposure to fire can cause catastrophic injuries. Traumatic catastrophic injuries include burn injuries, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis, organ damage, broken bones, and amputations. What makes an injury catastrophic? While there is no standard legal definition of catastrophic injury, it is generally agreed that a catastrophic injury is one that severely injures someone and leads to long-term, if not permanent, disability or disfigurement. Catastrophic injuries typically require a difficult recovery, http://www.cottrelllawoffice.com/most-common-causes-of-spinal-cord-injuries/

There is no question that speeding is dangerous. Saving time on your daily commute is never worth someone else’s life. Yet, so many drivers continue to exceed the speed limit. According to the NHTSA 2013 Traffic Safety Data, there were 32,719 traffic fatalities in 2013, among them 9,613 (29%) were the result of high speed auto accidents. When drivers speed, they place themselves, their passengers and everyone else on the road, in danger. The Dangers of High Speed Collisions It should be no surprise that auto accidents, occurring at high speeds, have the potential to cause catastrophic injuries. The force of the impact of a high speed collision is substantially increased, so the damage that results has an increased potential to cause more serious injuries to drivers and passengers. If a speeding car crashes into a pedestrian, motorcyclist or bicyclist, the resulting injuries are that much worse. Another factor that makes speeding more dangerous is the fact that it is more dhttp://www.cottrelllawoffice.com/high-speed-auto-accidents-often-cause-catastrophic-injuries/

Missouri Dog Bites Strict Liability vs. The “One Bite” Rule from Wesley Cottrell Essentially, liability is based on whether the dog owner knew or should have known the dog would bite. Learn more about Missouri dog bites in this presentation. The post Missouri Dog Bites: Strict Liability vs. The One Bite Rule appeared first on Cottrell Law Office | Arkansas Personal Injury Attorney.http://www.cottrelllawoffice.com/missouri-dog-bites-strict-liability-vs-the-one-bite-rule/

The U.S. Census reported that, in 2009, there were more than 10 million auto accidents reported in the U.S. Of those, more than 33,000 resulted in death. According to a report published by the CDC in 2013, auto accidents were the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S., with 130,557 fatalities reported as a result of an auto accident. Unfortunately, the number of fatalities has increased drastically. With these alarming numbers, it may be a good idea to consider the leading causes of auto accidents. Negligence of Other Drivers The sad truth is, the greatest threat on the road is other drivers. Their negligence accounts for more accidents and more deaths than anything else. The problem is, there are so many different ways that others can drive negligently, and all of those ways are extremely dangerous. Just a few common examples of driver negligence that leads to auto accidents include: Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs Driving while drowsy or fatihttp://www.cottrelllawoffice.com/what-are-the-leading-causes-of-auto-accidents/

Leaving the final decision on compensation in the hands of a jury is always a risk, one that most both parties in a personal injury case often prefer to resolve through settlement, if at all possible. Topics covered in this whitepaper include: The Role of the Jury at Trial Reviewing the Evidence Determining the Facts Applying the Law to the Facts Creating an Emotional Appeal to a Jury Considering Pain and Suffering Click here to read the whole article or download the PDF. The post Free Report: How Juries Calculate Missouri Personal Injury Awards appeared first on Cottrell Law Office | Arkansas Personal Injury Attorney.http://www.cottrelllawoffice.com/free-report-how-juries-calculate-missouri-personal-injury-awards/

In most cases, the dog bite rule followed in each state is recognized as one of two theories: strict liability or the “one bite” rule. These two concepts are very different. Topics covered in this whitepaper include: The “One Bite” Rule The Owner’s Knowledge of the Propensity To Bite Strict Liability Dog Bite Laws How Strict Liability for Dog Bites Works Dog Bite Laws in Missouri and Arkansas Missouri’s Comparative Negligence Doctrine Click here to read the whole article or download the PDF. The post Free Report: Missouri Dog Bites: Strict Liability vs. The One Bite Rule appeared first on Cottrell Law Office | Arkansas Personal Injury Attorney.http://www.cottrelllawoffice.com/free-report-missouri-dog-bites-strict-liability-vs-the-one-bite-rule/